AS THE Big Quit campaign kicks off across the country, Louise Horsburgh, 31, from Tyne & Wear is urging smokers to sign up and stop smoking for good.

She said: “I felt so much healthier within weeks of stopping smoking, but you really have to want to do it for yourself. If you want to quit you will have the willpower to succeed.”

The campaign is being run by the NHS Smokefree campaign in conjunction with local commercial radio including Metro Radio.

Louise, pictured, said: “I quit 12 weeks ago and I haven’t looked back. “For years, family members had been nagging me to stop, but then this year I realised I wanted to do it for myself and for my daughter. I was getting out of breath walking up the road and wanted to get healthy. Also, with the smoke-free law in July, I didn’t want to be continually outside having a cigarette, I wanted to get on with my life.

“So I set a quit date and stuck to it. The first couple of weeks were hard. But whenever I wanted a cigarette I simply distracted myself. Instead of my usual cigarette after tea I do the washing up. If I have a craving during the day I suck on a sugar-free lolly. I used nicotine patches, which did help, but you also have to want to do it.

“Since I quit, I feel so much healthier. Now I go to the gym every week and rather than doing five minutes on the machines and feeling dizzy and out of breath I can do 20 minutes. Rather than being out of breath when walking, I march everywhere. Also, since I quit I have noticed my hair and skin is so much better, and I smell much nicer too.

“With the money I’ve saved, Christmas this year will be so much easier to afford.

“Set yourself a date to stop and stick to it. With motivation you’ll succeed like I did. There’s loads of free support available from the NHS too so make sure you use it.”

Recent research from the NHS Smokefree campaign revealed that around two thirds of smokers have considered quitting and are influenced by a range of different factors:

63% said they want to save money;

62% were worried about long-term health;

38% looked forward to their clothes and hair smelling less;

31% were encouraged to quit by friends or family;

30% said the new laws have made smoking less convenient.

The Big Quit campaign was launched on September 24 and runs for three weeks on radio stations.

DJs will be encouraging listeners to sign up to The Big Quit Club and stop smoking through daily competitions, motivational e-mails, podcasts and more.

More information is available at www.thebigquit.co.uk, including tips on how to go smoke-free, details of local NHS stop smoking services and a message wall for Big Quitters.

Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service Manager Judy Loggie said: “Through The Big Quit we want to encourage people to quit smoking for good.”